The decision, formalized through two official decrees published on June 9, targets the Coordination of Young Muslims of Burkina Faso and the As Salam association. The former was accused of disrupting public order, while the latter faced charges of operating outside its stated objectives.

Imam Kindo’s arrest sparks controversy

The crackdown comes just two weeks after the controversial arrest of imam Mohamad Ishaq Kindo, a leading voice in Burkina Faso’s Sunni muslim community. The cleric had publicly condemned a proposed law aimed at tightening regulations on religious freedoms in the country, where muslims constitute approximately 60% of the population.

Since his detention on May 26, the imam’s whereabouts remain undisclosed. His supporters have also faced arrests following protests demanding his release.

Government tightens control amid security crisis

Since seizing power in September 2022 through a military coup, Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s administration has significantly increased restrictions on dissenting voices. Authorities justify these measures as necessary to maintain national stability amid over a decade of jihadist violence plaguing the Sahel region.

Widening crackdown on civil society

Between April and May alone, authorities have suspended 811 associations and dissolved 118 others, primarily for administrative non-compliance. These actions have drawn concern from human rights observers about the erosion of public freedoms in Burkina Faso, a country grappling with both severe security threats and political instability.